Should I Contest My First Warning at Work

LRedn on 09/10/2014 - 20:36

So I'll start out by saying I work at an group training organization,(apprenticeships) but I'll come back to that later.

So here is how the story goes. I was walking back from the toilet, into class as I walked past a table not really looking where I was going, one of the co workers stuck his hand. In doing so he hit me in my private area, my reaction was to grab him quickly and tell him never to do that again. I then let him go and walked back to my desk. Sitting behind him as I went to my desk he stood up I proceeded to watch him closely then he pushed me. Then the teacher intervend and took us to our employer to discuss this issue.

Some side notes:

  1. No bulling between the two of us have ever occoured.
  2. He is much larger then me I'm approximately 75kg and he would be 100-120kg as well as being a lot bigger build then me.
  3. When is discussion with employer he admitted to hitting me in my privates and took responsibility and apologized to me.

My concerns:

  1. I believe my actions were in self defence "instincts". (In saying that if I was paying attention I would not of grabbed him) (I probably would of just doged this in the first place not that really means anything)
  2. Since we work on a placement company, it's about getting good placements to learn as much and get as much experience as possible. I am thinking that this might affect my chances of getting good placements. Eg. Two very smillilar experienced apprentices live close together and he gets the job and not me.

What I think I could do: ( I will first ask them if this will affect my placements)

  1. Talk to my employer about dropping the warning because it was in self defence and did not initiated. ( I know my retaliation was a bad move and I'm never norammly like that I was caught off guard)

  2. Bring it up to the Union to fight for me.

  3. Take it and move forward. I should not of grabbed him.

  4. Please suggest anything else. That's why I'm here for your thoughts and any construed criticism.

Education & Work

closed Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2014 - 20:44

    Do you work there or are you a student? This is confusing.

    • Redn on 09/10/2014 - 21:21

      I work there but this was in training pretty much a private Tafe. It's a sister company.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2014 - 21:46

        Again this doesn't make sense. You are not being very clear. Are you a student or an employee? Or are you an employee who is part of an induction or training scheme?

        • Redn on 09/10/2014 - 22:33
          -5

          It happenend at a private Tafe. In which me and him are both employed at the same company. When these situations occour it's not the Tafe responsibility its the employer. That's all you really need to know.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2014 - 21:17
    +3

    And what are the details regarding "the warning"? Many if not most "employers" are ill-equipped to deal with minor skirmishes such as this let alone serious issues so it isn't surprising he/she has "warned" you both. Don't understand why a "teacher" couldn't have resolved the issue on the spot so maybe we aren't getting the full picture here. If something has been put on file that might warrant some action on your behalf based on what you've written. Apart from that it seems you might be over-reacting. Irrespective, forums like this are NOT the place to get advice or discuss specific work issues.

    • Redn on 09/10/2014 - 21:25
      +1

      The warning was discussed with two senior managers. I then received a letter letting me know if another violation occours I could get terminated. I understand I was wondering on people thoughts regarding this kind of situation.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/10/2014 - 21:48
        +1

        Violation of what exactly? If as you claim you were acting in "self defence" then your "senior managers" should have taken this into account, particularly when the offender admitted fault. As I've said, in my experience most "senior managers" wouldn't have a clue about when formal action is needed let alone any concept of what might be appropriate action. Seems a mountain has been made out of a molehill.

        If it concerns you by all means speak to someone in your personnel/HR area, and/or an experienced union rep and get the "warning" letter revoked.

        Childish nonsense, assuming you've given us the whole picture.

        • Redn on 09/10/2014 - 22:30
          +1

          I presume it's the violation of the agreement of employment. Not sure I'm wording this correctly.

  • pjetson on 09/10/2014 - 21:28
    +1

    Seriously, Redn, are you so close to "going off" that you can't control yourself when you're "caught off guard"? I'd be afraid to work with you.

    You need to live with the consequences of your actions. You have no-one else to blame.

    You will not be able to get your warning withdrawn just because you say that you don't normally behave in that way (even if that's true), or because you "didn't mean to do it". The fact is that you did behave that way, and the warning is your employer's way of telling you that it was not acceptable.

    Man up, Redn, and not in a violent way. You did the crime, now do the time.

    • Redn on 09/10/2014 - 22:27
      -7

      Your scared to work with me? He started I grabbed him, I did not yell at him. I didn't hit back I didn't push him. When I walked away he then continued. I think you should think about what you say before you start to say such harsh things.

  • eatwell365 on 09/10/2014 - 21:47
    +3

    Ask for professional advice.

  • Kevan2 on 09/10/2014 - 22:08

    Pjetson seems so close having comment negged due to last line

    If you are sure you can cope, and wear the conquences of your future actions after getting best advice you can get and remember its yours only, and only you, and NOT any other person or body. You will need to at least consider these headings

    do this, what I expect to happens, what can goes wrong, what is the worse situtation that follows, can I live with this, will I be better off.

    Do nothing,
    Talk to union to record situation,
    Talk to union to take action
    Consider sexual harassment claim
    Consider defence for assault
    Get medical inspection at yours, companies his cost
    Get a record - hard to handle - even if you are right- middle managers do
    not forget/forgive.
    Take an aggresive behaviour course with or without disclosure.
    And all other points

    I went to a rough all boys school and still have the auto body defence if I am strict or seem to be hit in my privates. It is not good, to deck my boss, even though he saw the funny side of it later. See point 7. It was a twenty year gap between school and ….. oh well.

    Good luck. Your call as possumby has said get the right advice and not
    coworkers even if they say it has happened to them.

  • imcjb on 10/10/2014 - 00:21
    +2

    Which union are you a member of?

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